With their health recovered, Sofia and the others’ momentum increased even further.

Their levels have also risen sufficiently… At this rate, they might even be on par with a thriving Phili… Just as I was thinking that, Stella finally reached the innermost part. Furthermore, Alto was also steadily advancing through the forest. At this rate, it would be a critical timing for them to run into each other.

And we too—it seems our timing was perfect.

The forest ends. It’s like a flower garden floating in the middle of the forest, but the fog is so thick that the overall view is obscured.

In the center, there was a plant-type monster… a boss named Giant Evil Flower.

“What is that!?”

Even Kyarun is astonished… Its stem is abnormally thick, and ugly, blood-red petals open their mouths towards us.

Around the monster, grotesque purple roots crawl along the ground, encroaching on the blooming flowers and further expanding their dominion.

And—in front of the monster, there was a woman.

“That’s…!”

As Sofia murmurs, the woman—Stella—rushes forward. From behind, I can see her short brown hair and leather shorts. Honestly, it’s light clothing that seems inappropriate for travel, but if it’s equipment focused on evasion, then it’s not entirely inconceivable.

She, with a sword in one hand, charges at the monster—I never quite understood the circumstances in the game, but I have to help her, no matter what!

“I’m going!”

I tell Sofia and Kyarun unilaterally, and I run. I try calling out to her, but she ignores me and dodges an attack from the roots the Monster unleashed from underground.

This enemy, like the Chimera Plant Sofia fought, doesn’t move, but the big difference is that the surrounding roots also have HP. They are treated as Monsters with Regenerative Ability, and if left alone, they will multiply endlessly.

I quickly approach her, reaching directly behind her. Then,

“Hey, wait!”

I grabbed her shoulder as she tried to approach the Monster head-on.

“–Huh!?”

Then Stella cried out. It seems she hadn’t noticed our presence.

What kind of situation is it where she can’t see her surroundings that much—while thinking, I forcibly carried her and dodged the root’s attack. Perhaps with that, she would have been hit by a root, blown into the air, and swallowed by those petals.

I retreated to where Sofia and the others were standing. This thing won’t attack if it’s out of range of its roots, unless you attack it from long range with magic or something. However, the Flower Garden is gradually being encroached upon by thick purple roots. If we don’t deal with it, our location will also become its territory.

“Are you alright?”

I put her down. Then Stella looked at me with her black eyes and said, “Thank you.”

“Um… who are you?”

“We’re Adventurers who came to defeat the Monster here.”

“You don’t seem like colleagues. Oh, I’m Stella Moonray.”

“I’m Ruon Madin. These are my companions—”

“I’m Kyarun Baffi.”

“I’m Sofia… Sofia Rattle.”

Sofia quickly gave her full name… After a brief self-introduction, I turned my gaze to the Monster.

“I don’t know if you’re confident, but charging at it head-on is far too dangerous.”

“No, I’m sorry. My Device was swallowed, and I lost myself.”

“Device?”

When I asked again, Stella nodded,

“My Magic Dagger… it swallowed it and grew this huge.”

…I see, I understand the situation.

The Evil Flower in front of us probably became active by absorbing Stella’s Magic Power Vessel. And she, trying to retrieve it, challenged it alone and ended up being swallowed.

“I understand why you charged. But given the Monster’s condition, you should probably give up on the Dagger.”

I said, looking at her. On closer inspection, she was injured in various places on her body. Seeing this, Sofia called out to her.

“Um, shall I heal you?”

“I’m fine. More importantly, if my Dagger was stolen, I won’t be satisfied until I defeat that thing.”

Stella was full of fighting spirit. Hmm, this seems like it’s going to be a lot of trouble.

Given the circumstances, she probably wouldn’t listen if I told her to retreat… Just then, a report came into my mind from my Familiar.

Alto is approaching… However, leaving with Stella under these circumstances seems difficult due to her intentions.

Besides, we can’t just leave the encroaching Monster unchecked. So, what should we do—there’s only one answer. It will interfere with Alto’s main scenario to some extent, but the scenario was progressing regardless of her presence—we have to do it.

“Those roots are dangerous. And they’re constantly encroaching.”

I tell Sofia and the others. As I speak, the encroachment continues… and then I notice something. It’s much faster than it was in the game.

I think part of the reason is that it’s the real world now… but it’s still more than I expected… Since Stella hasn’t been assimilated, its abilities should be lower than in the game. Yet—

While wondering, I say,

“I don’t know if it will cover this entire Flower Garden area, but leaving it alone is definitely dangerous. However, even if we approach it now, we’ll have to weave through the roots.”

–With my Magic, it’s entirely possible to defeat it in one blow. However, there’s a non-zero chance that the Demon Race is watching this battle. If it’s a high-ranking Demon Race, they might grasp my abilities… In that case—

“I’ll destroy the roots with magic. I’ll make a path, so Sofia and the others, approach and attack its True Self.”

“So Ruon, you’re going to keep attacking the roots?”

Kyarun asked. In response, I focused on the continuously appearing roots.

“The roots grow incredibly fast, but I can use magic quickly to create a path to what seems to be the true self’s petals and secure a retreat. However, with this regeneration speed… as long as I keep attacking these unsettling roots, I probably won’t have time to deal with the true self… I’ll leave that to Sofia and the others.”

“–Understood, let’s go with that.”

Sofia said. Kyarun and Stella nodded in agreement.

Alright… I’ll start the incantation. The roots’ HP is decent, but if I use fire elemental magic, which is their weakness, at the recommended level, I can destroy them in about two hits. In my case, with a lower-tier magic like ‘Flame Needle,’ even at an output that doesn’t fully unleash my magic power, I can still defeat them… However, their regenerative ability is on a completely different level compared to the game. It looks like I’ll need to put in some effort.

And if someone is about to be swallowed by the petals—then I’ll go help with all my might.

The battle begins. I use ‘Flame Needle.’ Many small flames are released—destroying the roots that were trying to encroach on the surroundings.

I use the same magic again, forming a path to the stem and petals, which are the true self. However, as soon as they’re burned, they instantly regenerate, and roots also encroach from both sides, trying to surround us. Therefore, I have no choice but to continuously use magic… This level of regenerative ability. I’d like to understand it if possible.

Here, Sofia and the others advanced. The three of them grouped together and stepped over the destroyed roots—and then I used more magic to keep them from getting caught.

Sofia and the others approach the true self. Its attack methods are its roots and petal parts. The petals launch something like pollen that causes a poisoned status, but if they get a status ailment, they can just cure it immediately with magic.

Then Sofia and the others launch a fierce attack. First, Kyarun sweeps fluidly with a dagger, then Sofia fires ‘Fire Lance.’ And Stella delivers a blow… it didn’t sink it, but it seemed to have definitely dealt damage.

However, the surrounding roots close in on them. I’m firing ‘Flame Needle’ from outside to secure their retreat, but perhaps due to attacks from the petals, Sofia shouted.

“Let’s retreat for now!”

With her words, the three of them moved simultaneously. I blew away the regenerating roots… and they somehow escaped the range of the roots.

At the same time, a report came that Alto was approaching. Is it finally time—I spoke to myself as I stared at the monster.